The
Simon E. Sobeloff Law
Society was created to
provide a social vehicle to
network, encourage civility
and build camaraderie among
attorneys while celebrating
their Jewish heritage and
Jewish values in the law.
The Society shall serve as a
forum for advocating and
educating on those matters
of mutual interest to Jewish
attorneys.

In 1952, Simon E. Sobeloff
became the first Jewish Judge to sit on the
Maryland Court of Appeals. Later in his career,
he was appointed Solicitor General of the United
States, and Associate (later Chief) Judge of the
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth
Circuit. Now, Judge Sobeloff has a law society
with his name thanks to the efforts of a
dedicated group of Maryland attorneys. Master
Steven G. Salant observed that none of the state
or local bar associations in Maryland provided a
forum for those attorneys interested in Jewish
issues and concerns. He discovered that many
attorneys were willing to devote their time to
build such an organization. Therefore, the Simon
E. Sobeloff Society was established to provide a
social vehicle to network, encourage civility
and build camaraderie among attorneys while
celebrating their Jewish heritage and Jewish
values in the law.

In its first year, the
Sobeloff Society has gained a paid membership of
60 attorneys, enabling it to provide some unique
programming and social events. The society’s
kickoff event featured former Mideast Ambassador
Dennis Ross speaking of “Current Issues and
Events in the Middle East.” Other programs
included “Maryland Legislation: Is There a
Jewish Perspective?” and a “field trip” to the
United States Supreme Court to join the American
Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists for
the presentation of the “Pursuit of Justice
Award”. Sobeloff members met Justices Stephen
Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Noted Supreme
Court litigator Nathan Lewin joined the society
for lunch to discuss “Did Ahasuerus’ Court
(pre-Haman) grant greater religious freedom than
the Rehnquist Court?” For the first Sobeloff
Society Hanukah, members celebrated lighting the
menorah together and conducted the “Best
Latke Contest.” Through these program and
events, the Sobeloff Society will serve as a
forum for advocating and educating on those
matters of mutual interest to Jewish attorneys.
The group holds monthly “gatherings” where new
and old members may socialize and conduct
society business.

For more information on the
Simon E. Sobeloff Law Society, visit
www.sobeloff.org, or call Brian Barke at
(301) 309-8300.